While each case in different, one fact remains the same: these CEOs didn’t manage their Board. Instead, they were blindsided. The Board behaved in a way the CEO hadn’t anticipated, he was considered non-crucial to the success of the company, and it was sayonara from there.

Boardroom Ninjas are becoming more prevalent. And they’re blindsiding CEOs more often.

The three most common reasons for Boardroom Blindsiding are:

1-CEO/Board conflict isn’t discovered and dealt with immediately.

2-Board members have differing agendas.

3-Board members provide varying value.

Yes, as the CEO you report to the Board. And you can manage Boardroom Ninjas efficiently and effectively by becoming a Boardroom Samurai.

Their covert methods of waging war contrasted the ninja with the samurai, who observed strict rules about honor and combat.[2]

--Source: Wikipedia

Ninja bad. Samurai good. Ok, let’s move on.

Know Your Ninjas

A ninja succeeds because they are efficient, effective, and unseen. You’ll do the same, yet you’ll use candor to be so upfront and visible that the result will either be disarming while building trust and respect. Boardroom Ninjas are sneaky and destructive. Boardroom Samurais are transparent, ask the tough questions, and continuously monitor progress.